U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and the Kremlin are at it again. This time, it's over Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup soccer tournament.
During a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Johnson said he agreed with a lawmaker's suggestion that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to use the World Cup to gloss over a "brutal, corrupt regime."
The lawmaker compared Putin's intentions to Adolf Hitler's use of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
"I think the comparison with 1936 is certainly right. I think it's an emetic prospect, frankly, to think of Putin glorying in this sporting event," Johnson said.
A spokesperson for the Kremlin shot back at Johnson's comments Thursday.
He told reporters, "This is a completely disgusting statement, and it does not fit the foreign minister of the country, of any country. Undoubtedly, it is offensive and unacceptable."
Johnson has repeatedly criticized Russia over a nerve gas attack that left a former spy and his daughter in critical condition. Russia has denied any involvement in the attack.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
